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Module UXS-2401:
Practical Journalism: ELD

Module Facts

Run by School of Music and Media

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Ifan Jones

Overall aims and purpose

This module will require students to build on the writing, broadcasting and newsgathering skills acquired in the Introduction to Journalism. This module will concentrate more specifically on newsgathering in council meetings, the courts and inquests. Students will be taught journalism law and the workings of local, national and devolved government, and then required to apply what they have learnt to writing articles in these fields. They will also develop further the practical writing and newsgathering skills learnt previously.

Course content

The course will teach students media law and how to report on the workings of government. They will gain practical experience in reporting from courts, inquests and council meetings. They will also be taught how to write and research news and feature articles, interviewing techniques, and how to cover running stories and elections.

Assessment Criteria

excellent

A- to A*

Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways:

  1. Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent.
  2. Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study.
  3. Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.

good

C- to B+

Submitted work is competent throughout and may be distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It:

  1. Demonstrates good or very good structure and logically developed arguments.
  2. Draws at least in parts on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.
  3. Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning.
  4. Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

threshold

D- to D+

Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows:

  1. Generally accurate but with omissions and errors.
  2. Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning.
  3. Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions.
  4. Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.

Learning outcomes

  1. Show a practical understanding of media law and the workings of local and national government, etc.
  2. fulfil the requirements of personal communication in a variety of journalistic situations
  3. show evidence of substantial technical media skills which are suitable for journalism
  4. demonstrate an astute understanding of the requirements in order to produce items for the press and media
  5. show evidence of substantial development in journalistic writing skills
  6. At the end of the module, students will be able to show evidence of the development in the skills of collating and evaluating news.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Virtual Newsrooms 25
Hard News 50
Investigative Journalism Essay 25

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Practical classes and workshops

Weekly practical work 1 hour x 11

 11
Fieldwork

Field trip 5 hour x 1

 5
Lecture

Weekly lectures of 1 hour x 11

 11
Private study 173

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: